Credit Controller

Job Title: Credit Controller – Italian-speaking

Department: Finance

Reporting to: Senior Credit Manager

Role Purpose:

Effective credit management is fundamental to maintaining healthy cash flow and supporting the commercial success of the business. The Credit Controller is responsible for managing customer accounts to minimise credit risk, maximise cash collection, and ensure timely payment of outstanding balances.

The role involves conducting credit assessments, monitoring customer payment performance, negotiating payment arrangements where appropriate, and maintaining strong customer relationships while protecting the company's financial interests. The Credit Controller will also ensure the accuracy of customer account records, perform account reconciliations, prepare reporting, and collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to resolve queries and disputes efficiently.

Working within a fast-paced international luxury wholesale environment, the successful candidate will balance excellent customer service with strong credit control practices to support both revenue growth and cash flow objectives.

Nature and Scope of Position:

Reporting to the Senior Credit Manager, the Credit Controller will be responsible for managing a portfolio of customer accounts, ensuring timely collection of outstanding debts while maintaining exceptional customer relationships. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting cash flow, minimising credit risk, and delivering a high standard of service to both internal and external stakeholders.

Working within a fast-paced luxury wholesale environment, the Credit Controller will communicate professionally and effectively with customers, sales teams, customer service, third-party partners, and senior management to ensure efficient account management and dispute resolution.

• Proactively manage the collection of outstanding customer balances in line with company policies and procedures, with a focus on reducing DSO (Days Sales Outstanding).
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships through regular communication, ensuring invoices are received, payment commitments are obtained, and overdue balances are effectively managed.
• Liaise with third-party collection and outsourcing partners regarding customer accounts and payment activity.
• Work closely with Customer Service, Sales, and Commercial teams to investigate, resolve, and follow up on customer claims, disputes, deductions, and escalations.
• Monitor customer payment performance and identify emerging risks or adverse trends.
• Maintain and administer the debtor escalation process, including placing accounts on hold, releasing orders, and recommending account blocks where appropriate.
• Escalate overdue and high-risk accounts to the Senior Credit Manager with recommended actions.
• Conduct credit assessments and reviews for both new and existing customers, supporting sound credit decision-making.
• Reconcile customer accounts and investigate any discrepancies.
• Process customer refund requests in accordance with company procedures.
• Prepare and maintain accurate reporting relating to collections, aged debt, account status, and key performance indicators.
• Support month-end activities and other finance-related tasks as required.
• Undertake ad hoc duties and projects as requested by the Senior Credit Manager.

The successful candidate will be:

• Previous experience in a Credit Control, Accounts Receivable, or Credit Management role.
• Strong customer service skills with the ability to build positive relationships while maintaining firm credit control practices.
• A proactive, confident, and results-driven approach with a strong sense of accountability.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to priorities workload and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• High attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
• Fluency in both Italian and English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence in communicating with customers and stakeholders via email, telephone, and occasionally face-to-face meetings.
• The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office, with advanced Excel skills highly desirable.
• Experience using SAP or a similar ERP system would be advantageous.
• Experience working with international customers, ideally within luxury retail, fashion, wholesale, or a similar sector, would be beneficial.

Desirable Attributes

• Commercial awareness and an understanding of the luxury retail and wholesale landscape.
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to balance customer relationships with the achievement of cash collection targets.
• A professional, adaptable, and resilient approach to managing challenging situations.